March 28, 2003

WHO:
The Secretary of State's State Plan Advisory Committee

WHAT:
This is the second Advisory Committee Meeting. The Advisory Committee is charged with providing input on the development of a State Plan that Michigan must file under the Help America Vote Act of 2002. The Advisory Committee will review the current voting systems used in Michigan and discuss Michigan's voting system certification process. A panel of attorneys will offer observations on Michigan's election recount process. The operation of optical scan voting systems, punch card voting systems, and direct recording electronic (DRE) voting systems will be explained with demonstrations of the equipment.

WHEN:
Monday, March 31, 2003 at 1:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Senate Hearing Room, Michigan National Tower, 1st Floor, Lansing, Michigan

WHY:
The Help America Vote Act seeks to strengthen our elections process by improving access at the polls, replacing old voting equipment, and making it easier for disabled citizens and overseas military personnel to vote. Filing the State Plan qualifies Michigan for a portion of the federal funds available to assist states in meeting the act's requirements.

The State Plan must include how the state will meet technology and election administration requirements; budget and monitor the funds it receives; adopt voting system guidelines consistent with the new federal requirements; educate poll workers; adopt performance measures; and meet other criteria.

The committee will conduct at least six meetings. The public is encouraged to submit written comments/testimony at each session.

Michigan expects to submit its plan by July 1.

Information regarding the Help America Vote Act can be accessed through the Web sites maintained by the Michigan Department of State's Bureau of Elections www.michigan.gov/hava and the Federal Election Commission www.fec.gov

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